Sterntube grease

[Rowana]

What is the correct grease to use in a sterntube?

When I bought Rowana, the stern tube greaser was full. Each time I've gone out, I've been giving the greaser a half turn or so, just until it gets "tight".

It's now nearing the bottom of the screw, so I thought I would see about topping it up. When I unscrewed the greaser barrel, the grease that is in is a creamy colour, almost white. I was expecting "grease" coloured stuff, sort of brown-ish, but no.

I'm stumped!

What is the stuff that I've got, and what I should be using??

Confused of Aberdeenshire /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[l'escargot]

You've probably got something like this which isn't really a problem, but I would use something like this.

 

[bobgosling]

It's a special waterproof grease. Ordinary grease would melt away too quickly. Available from 99% of chandlers. Ramonol is a well known make. Gael Force do a similar one mail order here

 

[Kawasaki]

"Ramanol ,du der di dida, did da Ramanol der de du"
"Ramanol der der di di dida di dida di didda did dad da did a doo!
Ramanol di der it's the stuff to stuff in Your stern Gland Packing.
I presume You mean gland not stern tube!
I could be wrong, but Your greaser stuffs grease into the gland packing area?
IE which sits on the Shaft before the shaft enters the Stern Tube?
Seriously , I ask cos I am about to renew all that area.
I have just puchased shaft, tube , cutlass bearing etc from T Norris Marine in Islseworth London (close to Twickers). Most reccomended Firm by the way.
Rammodol or whatever it is called is reccomended by them.
They supply it.
Have a look on their sight.
www.tnorrissmarine.co

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
Rammodol or whatever it is called is reccomended by them.
They supply it.
Have a look on their sight.
www.tnorrissmarine.co

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you mean these chaps?

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
Gael Force do a similar one mail order here

[/ QUOTE ]

£7 for delivery?! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I needed some, but will wait. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

Yes I do.
Did My thinghy not work?
Proper chandlers!
I visited them a couple of Weeks ago.
Took My knackered stuff to them.
Called back a few Days later.
Some of their gear was "off the shelf" and some they made for Me from patterns provided.
I had the stern tube and stuff to show them.
Difficult for Them if no pattern to go on.
Luckily not like some peeps, whose stern gear is still underwater!

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
Proper chandlers!
Luckily not like some peeps, whose stern gear is still underwater!

[/ QUOTE ]

You are a cruel man /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I like my new prop, it is very nice. I am sure the old one was faulty, much like your dodgy link. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

On a serious note, do you reckon they would do a rare and unusual stern hose?

 

[Richard10002]

I also use ramanol... mailspeed marine £7 per tub, not sure about postage.

 

[Kawasaki]

Yep I reckon they would.
Mine was none standard ref their stock Items.
I provided the origional, They made a Duplicate.
In fact it is better than origional.
In fact, They made up a Compltete stern tube assy.
Only My Prop will be going back on.
They even made a Gland Packing/ Stuffing Box which looks a Million times better than the Origional.
Top Blokes in My opinion.
Same kit from the Manufacturers was abot £2500
Islesworth Bods--- £750 ish!

 

[alan006]

I agree these guys are mustard. A friend had a bronze propshaft with a damaged thread, I gave them a call and they made up a castle nut that externally matched the other nut but internally was one size smaller. Pukka job and fairly priced and we got it very quickly.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
What is the stuff that I've got

[/ QUOTE ] Very likely it was Duckhams Keenol. You'll have seen that Romanol is sold as the replacement for it.

 

[Rowana]

Thanks to everyone.

Yet again the falourm comes up with the answer.

Cheers !

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[wavelet]

I used waterproof grease from Halfords for several years then when that was finished I used standard Shell grease as was departing on longish leg and had to buy what was available but it dissolved away quickly and leaked into the bilge to make a scummy greasy sludge.
Now have waterproof grease again bought from an agricultural supplier (in north France) for about four and a half Euros for a tub.

 

[TheBoatman]

I always use Duckhams Kenol!

Cheap ~ reliable ~ always does the job.

Peter.

 

[Rowana]

Seems Keenol is no longer available, and this is the replacement -
http://marinestore.co.uk/page/mrst/PROD/misc--oils-and-greases/MT68213/

I'm getting some of this Ramonol anyway.

 

[bluedragon]

Actually I'm not so sure about Ramonol. I bought some this year, but it seems very thin (squeezes out everywhere) and I've noticed "oily" bilge water after a long motoring run. I wonder if it's breaking down?? I can't say for certain it's the grease, but to be sure I've just gone back to Morris K99 Water Resistant Grease, which mentions stern tubes specifically on the label. This has worked well for me in the past.

 

[VicS]

This is the description of Ramonol [ QUOTE ]
Ramonol is a high quality water resistant grease with good adhesion, good wear resistance and a wide temperature operating range. Customer feedback indicates that most yachtsmen want a universal grease they can use on just about anything on board from stern glands to winches, and Ramonol does that. A replacement for the old Keenol which had to be withdrawn because it contained zinc oxide which has been banned


[/ QUOTE ]

Zinc oxide banned though? Thats a new one on me. I have never considered it to be hazardous

 

[bluedragon]

Yes, I can't think why Zinc Oxide is a problem either. I wonder if in making it a multi-purpose grease it's just a little too soft for stern tube use? Any others got a view on this?

 

[Slowtack]

On my last boat I replaced engine and stern gear, using a new stuffing box from Lancing Marine with PTFE treated packing they said required no greasing. I was sceptical at first but it proved reliable and trouble free for five years while in my ownership, probably still going strong.